Research Projects

There are 2 species of Pangolin - i) the Indian Pangolin found all over the country and ii) the Chinese Pangolin, which is found in NE States, parts of Bihar, Siliguri in West Bengal. Scales of the Pangolin are used in traditional Chinese medicine. The Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN List (2016-3) due to high levels of hunting and poaching, Pangolins are one of the most heavily trafficked mammals in illegal wildlife trade globally, driven by demand for meat and scales for traditional medicines. In India, Chinese pangolin is restricted to the north-eastern states only. Its occurrence was way back in 1970s and before. Thereafter, the population of Chinese pangolin in these states declined and till recent times, its distribution was even doubtful. No work has been done on status, distribution, activity pattern, habitat preference and the driving factors for the decline in population of Chinese pangolin in this region. This species is listed as Critically Endangered A2d+3d+4d due to high levels of poaching for meat and scales, both targeted and untargeted, across its range With paucity of research on pangolins in the country; information on trade of pangolins routes and reasons for trading, analysing socioeconomic aspects, and awareness campaign for sympathetic towards pangolin will serve as an important factor for conservation of the species. There is virtually no information available on population level and the information on extent of trade is limited and inconsistent. The proposed study aims to collect baseline information on status, distribution, activity/patterns, habitat use and the driving factor for the decline in population and also define solutions for mitigating major threats and initiate implementation of conservation program across North-East India Educational awareness will be essential for long term conservation of the species and will be crucial to control cases of hunting, poaching and illegal trading in the region. In view of this, the proposed study aims to determine the population status, distribution and suitable habitats of the species as it is a fundamental part of conservation planning for any species in a given area. The study also focuses on the trends and techniques used for hunting pangolins in the region, involvement of local communities so as to create awareness among the indigenous communities and help in conservation of the species. Detailed information on the area profile and occurrence of the species will be collected from the forest department and local communities (who can be identified the species with accuracy and confidence) in and around the study areas. For determination of the population status and the distribution of Chinese pangolin in the study area, standard ecological methods (line transects, boroscope camera, camera traps, direct sightings and indirect of signs) and questionnaire survey methods (interviews with local people, forest officials and hunters) will be used. Camera-traps (self-activating cameras placed on frequently used paths) will be used to detect the presence-absence of species or to collect an index of abundance for difficult-to-see species.

Objective: i. To study the population status and distribution of Chinese pangolin across different protected areas and reserve forests in North-eastern states of India. ii. To determine the habitat preference and activity pattern of Chinese pangolin in the study areas. iii. Assessment of conservation threats via hunting, capturing techniques, poaching, and illegal trading of pangolin. iv. Understanding reasons for hunting of pangolin and social-economic status of communities surrounding habitats of pangolin. v. Identify the degree of trading and trade routes in the North-eastern states of India and through the States of West Bengal (Siliguri) and Bihar up to More border. vi. To develop a Conservation Strategy and Alternate Livelihood Options available to the local communities and persons involved in the trafficking and trading of endangered animals and in particular the Chinese Pangolin. Ecotourism could be an option. One of the basic objectives of ecotourism is to engage local communities so that they benefit from conservation, economic development and environmental education. vii. Attitude and perceptions of local communities towards Chinese pangolin and pangolin Conservation. viii. Sensitization of local communities through an educational awareness program and capacity building. ix. The Project shall be implemented along with Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.